Biology students at a Teesside college were given a fascinating view of one of the wonders of the underwater world today - from the comfort of their classroom.

Students at Stockton Sixth Form College were to speak to scuba divers exploring Australia's Great Barrier Reef via a breakfast-time video conferencing link-up.

The A-level students were given an hour to talk directly to the divers based in an educational aquarium.

The college's head of biology Joyce Clarke said: "This is technology at its best as a tool for learning. The divers wear special helmets so they can carry on having conversations under water via the video conferencing link.

"Our students will study marine biology at Robin Hood's Bay, but this is something very different."